Terminal clamp



J. B. WINCHESTER April 4,1939.v

TERMINAL CLAMP Filed July 6, 1936 [NI/5N Toe:

- I JOHN 5 Alma sur firropmw Patented Apr. 4, 1939 UNITED STATES. PATENTorrica John B. Angeies',0aiil.

3 Claims.

The invention relates to clamps-suitable for connecting electricalcontacts, as, for instance, battery cables, bus bars, terminals, such asbattery terminals, and the like.

The invention is capable of a widerange of utility as a removable clamp,and although I have chosen to illustrate the invention as comprising aterminal clamp' for connecting a battery cable to the terminal of abattery, this illustrated the members, these tongue-'and-groove elementsbeing formed to permit a relative swinging oi the clamping members. a

It is another object of the invention to provide the hinge meanscomprising the complementary tongue-and-groove elements described in theabove paragraph with transversely extending, interlocking portionspreventing relative longitudinal movement between the tongue-and-grooveutility should in no way limit the scope of thew elements.

invention to use in this connection.

It should be understood that when I use the word terminal" in thefollowing description, I do not necessarily mean a battery terminal nordo I intend to imply any specific electrical equipment, since theclamping means embodying the features of my invention is capable of usein a. structural capacity; for instance, as a connector for re-inforcingstruts, guy-wires, and the like. So, also, when I hereinafter use theword cable, I do not necessarily mean an electrical cable.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a clamping means ofthe character described which comprises a pair of complementary clampmembers hinged together in a novel manner and defining a space forreceiving a body to be clamped and including means for drawing theclainping members together to efiect the clamping action.

It is another object of my invention to provide a device of thecharacter described in the above paragraph in which the hinge meansincludes means operable to permit the clamping members to be separatedby a straight longitudinal movement of one member relative to the otherregardless of the relative pivoted positions of the members.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision ofhinge means pivoting the clamping members on an axis parallel to theaxis of the space for receiving a body to be clamped, the hinge meanspermitting the clamping members to be separated by a straight relativemovement laterally with respecttothe axis of the mentioned space.

Another object of the invention rests in the provision of a hinge meansof the character described in the above paragraph which includes meansfor preventing relative movement of the clamping members in a directionparallel to the axis of the mentioned space. i

It is another object of theinvention to provide a hinge means for a pairof complementary clamping members, which hinge means comprisescomplementary tongue-and-groove elements on It is another object of theinvention to provide a clamping device of the character described.including a pair of complementary clamping members hinged together andincluding means for drawing the members together for clamping l5purposes, and including auxiliary clamp means carried by one of theclamping members.

It is another object of the invention to provide a clamp means of thecharacter described comprising a pair of hinging members providingcomplementary jaws having angularly disposed, up-

per and lower tapered engaging surfaces, the

opposed upper and lower taperedsurfaces being complementary to engageand substantially to conform to the contour of a tapered body'positionedbetween the jaws.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a pluralityof contact projections formed on the respective upper and lower taperedsurfaces of the clamping jaws mentioned in the above paragraph, theprojections on the opposed lower surfaces contacting a taperedsurface inspaced relationship with the opposed, upper tative swinging of themembers and including a bolt I to the other regardless of the relativehinged positions of the members, and including a bolt extending throughan inwardly flared opening in one of the members, the bolt extendingthrough a slot formed in the other member so that the clamping membersmay be separated without removing the bolt from the opening.

It is another object of my invention to provide a clamp meansincludingterminal-clamping portions and cable-connecting portions andcorrosion-retarding means positioned between the terminal-clamping meansand the cable-connecting means for retarding the progressive formationof corrosion toward the cable-connecting means.

These and other objects as well as several important features of theinvention will be more apparent from a perusal of the following part ofthe specification in connection with the accompanying drawing and theappended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig, l is a'perspective view illustrating some of the parts of thedevice in relatively expanded positions and relativelyspaced from abattery terminal.

Fig. 2 is a partially sectioned top plan view of the clamping device.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device taken as indicated by the arrow3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a staggered section taken as indicated by the line fl-4 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the auxiliary clamp means included inthe invention, this view being taken as indicated by the line 55-5 of F2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view comparable to Fig. 2, but showing analternative form of hinge means and an alternative form ofcable-connecting means.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view through the alternative form of hinge meanstaken as indicated by the 1ine'I'l of Fig. 6.

Referring first to the form of the invention illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5inclusive, I show a clamping device generally designated by the numeralII, which includes a pair of clamping members I2 and I3 hinged togetherin a novel manner by hinged means I4, this hinged means pivoting theclamping members I2 and I3 togetherin such a manner as to permitrelative swinging of these members in directions indicated by the doublearrow A of Figs. 1 and 2; and permits the members to be separated by astraight longitudinal movement of one member relative to the other,asindicated by the arrow B of Figs. 1 and 2.

The hinge means I4 includes complementary tongue-and-groove elementsformed on one end of each of the members I2 and I3. The groove elementof the hinge means I4 preferably is formed integrally with one of themembers, such as the member I3, and comprises a substantially U- shapedwall I5 providing an inwardly facing groove I6. The tongue element ofthe hinge means I4 is formed integrally with the member I2 and comprisesan outwardly extending tongue II adapted to extend into the groove I6,fitting loosely therein so as to permit the above-mentioned relativeswinging action of the clamping members.

The invention includes means. for preventing relative longitudinalmovement between the tongue-and-groove members I 6 and ll of the clampmembers I2 and I 3. In'one form of my invention this means comprisesinterlocking porand lower relatively angled tapered surfaces 3| '20 whenthe tongue II is mated with the groove I6, substantially in the mannerindicated. It will be seen that the interlocking of the rib 22 and theleg 2I will effectively prevent relative movement of the clampingmembers in directions indicated by the arrow C of Fig. 1, regardless ofthe relative pivoted positions of these members.

Formed on each of the members I2 and I3 closely adjacent thetongue-and-groove elements I6 and I! is a substantially semi-circularjaw 25, these jaws being complementary when the members I2 and I3 areassembled in operable relation to define a terminal-receiving space, theaxis of which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hinge means I2.

Means for strengthening the portions of the members I2 and I3 which formthe jaws 25 and for reinforcing the tongue I7 and the U-shaped Wall I5of the members is preferably provided.

To accomplish this function the rib 22 of the member I2 may be extendeda substantial distance around the outer surface of the jaw. A rib 24 islikewise provided on the outer surface of the member I3, the ribextending from the U- shaped wall I5 for a sufficient distance aroundthe member I3 to accomplish the function of stiffening the jaw 25 andthe wall I5,

Formed in each of the members l2 and I3 on the opposite side of the jaws25 from the hinge means It is a laterally extending opening designatedrespectively by the numerals 21 and 28, through which a bolt 29 extends,there being a nut SI] threaded on the bolt for drawing the jaws 25together.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the openings 2'5 and 28 areflared as best shown in Fig. 2 toward the inner surfaces of the membersI2 and I3 to facilitate the relative swinging action of the clampingmembers.

The parts thus far described constitute one operable embodiment of myinvention, the combination providing the novel hinge arrangement I4accomplishing the function of pivoting the members I2 and I3 forrelative swinging action and likewise permitting separation of the partsby relative lateral movement with respect to the axis of theterminal-receiving space regardless of the relative pivoted position ofthe members, together with the means for drawing the jaws 25 intoclamping relation.

In one embodiment of my invention I prefer to form the inner faces ofthe semi-circular jaws 25 in such a manner that these jaws provide upperand 32, the apex formed by these tapered surfaces being preferablysubstantially on a median plane through the clamping members I2 and I3,as best shown in Fig. 4. These upper and lower tapered surfaces areprovided to adapt the clamping device for installation in eitherdirection on a tapered body such as a battery terminal designated by thenumeral 35 in Figs. 1 and 4.

I prefer to provide a plurality of inwardly extending contactprojections 36 on the upper and 16 lower tapered surfaces Hand 32 of thejaws 25. As best shown in Fig. 4, the projections 36 will contact thetapered battery terminal 35 in spaced relationship with the lowertapered surfaces 32 when these surfaces are in engagement with theterminal. Likewise it will be clear that if the clamping members areinstalled on the tapered battery terminal so that the surfaces 3|conform to the contour of the terminal, the projections 36 on thesurfaces 32 will contact the tapered terminal in spaced relationshipwith the surfaces 3|.

The features just described are important in that the clamping devicemay be positioned in either position on a battery terminal, the opposedtapered surfaces on the complementary jaws 25 substantially conformingto the contour of the battery terminal. Likewise, the function of theprojections 36 is important in that when the jaws 26 are clamped tightlyaround a body the projections bite into the surfaces of the bodywhich-prevents slippage of the clamping means relative thereto.

The invention includes a cable-connecting means for removably connectinga battery cable, guy-wire, or the like, to the clamping device II. Itshould be understood that the combination of parts thus .far describedcould be utilized with any form of cable-connecting means and embody apatentable combination having a new coaction of parts and obtaining anew result. However, I prefer to disclose one embodiment of my inventionwhich includes an auxiliary clamping means comprising a pair of partshinged for relative swinging action and providing segments defining acable-receiving space, the hinged parts being adapted for separation bya straight relative movement laterally with respect to the axis of thementioned space regardless of the'relative hinge positions of the parts.

One embodiment of this auxiliary clamping means is shown as including astationary part 40 formed integrally on the clamping member |2 on theopposite side of the bolt 29 from the jaws 25. Hinged to the stationarypart 40 by a hinge means generally designated by'the numeral 4| is amovable part '42. The parts 4| and 42 are provided with inwardly facing,substantially semicircular segments 43 which are complementary to definea cable-receiving space as best shown in Fig. 5. The hinge means 4| ofthe auxiliary clamping means is substantially identical with the hingemeans M ,of the main clamping device M, an inwardly facing groove 44being formed on the movable part 42 and an outwardly extending tongue 45being formed on the stationary part 40; these tongue-and-groove elementsbeing operable to permit swinging'of the parts 40 and 42 as indicated bythe arrow D of Fig. 5.

The auxiliary clamping means also includes a means for preventingrelative movement of the parts in a direction parallel to the axis ofthe cable-receiving space. This means generally designated bythe-numeral 46 comprises interlocking portions on the tongue-and-grooveelements 45 and 44 which are identical with the" groove 20 and the rib22 of the main clamping means.

adapted to receive a bolt 49 which bolt also extends through the slot 48substantially in the manner shown, there being a nut threaded on thebolt to draw the segments 43 together in clamp- .ing relationship.

It will be seen that the parts 40 and 42 of the auxiliary clamp arecapable of separation by a straight relative movement laterally withrespect to the axis of the cable-receiving space regardless of therelative pivoted position of the parts. It will also be seen that theslot 48 permits the members to be separated without removing the boltfrom the opening 41. These are important features with respect to theoperation of installing the clamp means in its various uses which willbe described later.

My invention also includes a corrosion-impeding means one form of whichcomprises a battle wall 50 formed on the member l2 and projectingtherefrom in a position between the terminalengaging jaws 25 and thecable-connecting means. The bafile wall 50 provides a tortuous surfacewhich effectively impedes the progressive formation of corrosion towardthe cable-connecting'means, materially reducing the amount of corrosionforming on a cable which is clamped between the clamps 43, in the mannerindicated at 5| in Figs. 1, 2, and 5.

Referring to the alternative form of the invention illustrated in Figs.6 and '7, the relative parts and the operation thereof are substantiallythe same as the form described above. Therefore, identical characterswill be used to designate similar parts.

The alternative form of hinge means, generally designated by the numeral60, comprises a U- shaped wall 6| formed on one of the clamping membersand providing an inwardly facing groove 62 into which loosely projects atongue 63 formed on the other of the pair of clamping members. Formed inthe inner surface 64 of the groove 62 is a transverse slot 65 whichextends substantially entirely around the inner surface of the groove.Formed on the exterior surface of the tongue 63 is an outwardlyprojecting web 66 which fits into the slot 65, as best shown in Fig. 7,when the complementary clamping members are assembled in hingingrelationship as shown in Fig. 6.

It will be seen that the interlocking relationship of the .transverselyextending web and slot will effectively prevent relative longitudinalmovement between the tongue-and-groove elements 62 and 63 comprising thehinge means 60.

Reinforcing means for. the jaws 25 of this form of the invention ispreferably provided in theform of a rib 61 formed on the member I2, anda rib 68 formed on the member I3, as shown.

I have shown this embodiment of the invention as including aterminal-connecting means generally designated by the numeral 10 whichcomprises a socket portion formed on the clamping member which carriesthe tongue 63 and which provides a recess II for the reception of acable which may be soldered or otherwise suitably by the arrow A ofFigs. 1 and 2, or by entirely removing the bolt 29 from one or both ofthe openings 21 and 28 whereupon one of the members, such as the memberl3, may be moved rela tive to the member l2 in a straight line laterallywith respect to the axis of the terminal-receiving space, regardless ofthe relative pivoted positions of the clamping members. This is animportant feature in that the clamping members l2 and I3 may thus beseparated for removal of the clamping means from the terminal withoutswinging the clamping members into any particular pivoted position,which allows the convenient installation and removal of the clamp meansin cramped spaces in which any substantial pivoting of the clampingmembers would be impossible.

Likewise, in connection with the auxiliary clamp means, it will be clearthat a cable, such as the cable 5|, may be inserted and removed from thecable-receiving space either by relatively swinging the parts 42 and 43,as indicated by the arrow D, or the bolt 49 may be loosened sufficientlyto permit the movable and stationary parts to be separated by a straightrelatively lateral movement with respect to the cable-receiving space asabove described.

Although I have illustrated and described my invention in simplepractical form, it should be understood that I am aware of variousfeatures thereof which might be changed and numerous embodiments thereofwhich might be devised without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention which should be interpreted by the appended claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending application,Serial No. 735,544, filed July 17, 1934, for Connectors for electricalcontacts.

I claim as my invention:

1. A terminal clamp comprising: a pair of clamp members connectible inhinging relation and providing jaw elements having upper and lowertapered surfaces, the opposed upper surfaces of said jaws beingcomplementary to engage and substantially conform to a tapered body, andsaid lower jaws being complementary to engage said tapered body whensaid clamp is reversed; con tact projections on each surface of said jawelements relatively spaced from the central horizontal plane of saidclamp and extending radially inward therefrom a suificient distance sothat when either said opposed upper or lower surfaces engage saidtapered body said projections on the other opposed surfaces engage asmaller diameter of said tapered body; and means for drawing said jawelements together in clamping relation.

2. A terminal clamp comprising: a pair of clamp members providing aterminal-receiving space adapted to receive a terminal and one of whichclamp members provides walls forming an inwardly facing U-shapedvertical groove and the other of which provides a tongue elementextending into said groove in hinging relationship, said clamp membershaving upper and lower tapered surfaces, the opposed upper surfaces ofsaid clamp members being complementary to engage and substantiallyconform to a tapered body, and said opposed lower surfaces beingcomplementary to engage said tapered body when said clamp is reversed;contact projections on each of said upper and lower tapered surfaces ofsaid clamp members and extending radially inward therefrom a sufficientdistance so that when either said opposed upper or lower surfaces engagesaid tapered body said projections onthe other opposed surfaces engage asmaller diameter of said tapered body; a clamping bolt associated withsaid clamp members and disposed on that side of said terminal-receivingspace opposite the tongue and groove; a laterally extending reinforcingweb on said tongue element; walls forming a slot in that one of saidclamp members which provides said vertical groove complementary to saidwebto prevent relative movement of said clamp members longitudinallyrelative to the terminal to which the clamp is applied; and means forattaching a cable to one of said members.

3. A terminal clamp comprising: a pair of clamp members providing aterminal-receiving space adapted to engage a terminal and one of whichclamp members provides walls forming an inwardly facing U-shapedvertical groove and the other of which provides a tongue elementextending into said groove in hinging relationship, said clamp membershaving upper and lower tapered surfaces, the opposed upper surfaces ofsaid clamp members being complementary to engage and substantiallyconform to a tapered body, and said lower jaws being complementary toengage said tapered body when said clamp is reversed; contactprojections on each of said surfaces of said clamp members relativelyspaced from the central horizontal plane of said clamp and extendingradially inward therefrom a sufii cient distance so that when eithersaid opposed upper or lower surfaces engage said tapered body, saidprojections on the other opposed surfaces engage a smaller diameter ofsaid tapered body; a clamping bolt associated with said clamp membersand disposed on that side of said terminal-receiving space which isopposite said tongue and groove; a laterally extending reinforcing webon said tongue element; walls forming a slot in that one of said clampmembers which provides said vertical groove complementary to said web toprevent relative movement of said clamp mem-v JOHN B. WINCHESTER.

